Former sheriff's officer faces 122 charges

Published: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 09:55 AM.

WILMINGTON — A former New Hanover County sheriff's lieutenant faces 122 charges following his indictment by the county grand jury.

The grand jury on Monday indicted former Lt. Joey LeBlanc, who was second in command of the sheriff's vice and narcotics unit. LeBlanc was fired in June amid allegations he mishandled drug evidence and violated department policy.

He is charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud; altering, destroying or stealing evidence; obstruction of justice and drug possession and trafficking.

LeBlanc's attorney told a judge LeBlanc was originally prescribed pain medication for a work injury and began abusing drugs five years ago. He said LeBlanc was once was in a drug rehabilitation facility in California but when he finished the program he was placed back in the narcotics unit and relapsed.

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WILMINGTON — A former New Hanover County sheriff's lieutenant faces 122 charges following his indictment by the county grand jury.

The grand jury on Monday indicted former Lt. Joey LeBlanc, who was second in command of the sheriff's vice and narcotics unit. LeBlanc was fired in June amid allegations he mishandled drug evidence and violated department policy.

He is charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud; altering, destroying or stealing evidence; obstruction of justice and drug possession and trafficking.

LeBlanc's attorney told a judge LeBlanc was originally prescribed pain medication for a work injury and began abusing drugs five years ago. He said LeBlanc was once was in a drug rehabilitation facility in California but when he finished the program he was placed back in the narcotics unit and relapsed.